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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Martin Brodeur will be in net tonight against the Detroit Red Wings for what might be his final game as a Devil – and last game at Prudential Center. It also might be simply another big game Brodeur has played for the Devils as they try to chase down the Red Wings and get into a playoff spot.

Although the Minnesota Wild has expressed interest in Brodeur -- as I first reported here on Saturday -- there is no deal in place yet. One thing is for certain, because of the risk of an injury that would negate a potential deal, Brodeur would not be playing tonight if a trade was already agreed upon with any team.

Lamoriello told me today he would "never" have a player play in a game if it he already had a deal in place to trade that player.

In fact, it’s still unknown if Lamoriello has even made a decision that he will go forward with trying to trade Brodeur before Wednesday's 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. When I asked Lamoriello again today about Brodeur's future and the trade deadline, he continued to be tight-lipped.

“It’s a non-discussion,” Lamoriello said. “Whatever is said between Marty and I is between Marty and I. And don’t read into that that there is anything. Right now, all I’m doing today and tomorrow is trying to make this team better. I believe in this team and I’m doing whatever I can to make it better.”

Lamoriello also said “it would be an understatement” to say he’s happy with the team’s goaltending situation.

Meanwhile, the Wild have also been talking to the Buffalo Sabres about goaltender Jaroslav Halak and exploring other goaltending options.

Because he is playing tonight, Brodeur did not speak to the media following today's morning skate -- a practice he has maintained since the 2012 playoffs.

Brodeur has a no-trade clause in his contract, which expires after this season, and, thus, has the right to block or accept any trade. Playing in Minnesota would likely be appealing to him because it would present an opportunity to play more often behind rookie Darcy Kuemper and because his twin sons, Jeremy and William, attend school at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, Minn.

Devils coach Pete DeBoer said nothing concerning the trade deadline factored into his decision to go with Brodeur tonight over Cory Schneider.

“I just look at the hockey,” DeBoer said. “I met with Marty, I met with Schneids and I’ve told everyone I’m making hockey decisions based in winning the next game the rest of the season. That’s always been the case. I can’t do it any other way. I’m not looking at next year or contracts and we don’t do that with any of our players. Marty came out of the break, got us a big win in the Island, looked sharp and he deserves another start. It’s as simple as that.”

DeBoer said the idea that this could be Brodeur’s last game as a Devil – and last chance to play at Prudential Center – was not a factor in starting him. He said the decision was “100 percent strictly hockey and who’s going to give us a chance to win a game tonight.”

“We’re coming off three (games) in four (days) and playing basically four in six and Marty played great last time out and he deserves to play,” DeBoer said.

“The coach has been very clear that he’s going to go game by game based on merit and clearly last game I didn’t get the job done and Marty looked good on Saturday, so I don’t think this should be (viewed as) a sendoff for him,” Schneider said. “I think he’s earned it, he’s worked hard, he deserves to get a start and to play and I think we’re all confident in him.”

Understanding what Brodeur means to the Devils and from getting to know him over this season, Schneider is hoping he isn’t traded.

“From the outside the organization, when you watch and you look, it’s pretty clear what he means (to the Devils),” Schneider said. “I’m sure it’s a strange time for some people if it does happen, but we’re not planning on or banking on anything. Like I’ve said before, we hope he’s a part of this team going forward.”

Schneider said having a good relationship with Brodeur – as he had a good relationship with Roberto Luongo in Vancouver – is “hugely important.”

“I’ve never really had a bad relationship with a goalie partner and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with professionals and good guys, more importantly, so it makes everything a lot easier and the fact that we respect each other helps a lot too,” Schneider said. “When you work with someone with someone you respect, it makes everything a lot easier.”

Schneider isn't the only Devil hoping Brodeur is not traded.

"It would be sad to see, but, at the same time, I understand where he's coming from," said left wing Patrik Elias. "He's proud. He wants to play more than he does probably and we'll see what happens. I think, for us, it's great to have these two goaltenders behind us. That gives us the best chance (to win), but it's not up to us. ...“When (the Devils traded for) Schneids, you know that he’s going to get more chances to play in the future. For Marty, he’s still a top goaltender in the league, no question about it. He wants to play and he’ll most likely would get a better chance somewhere else.

"But, I hope it’s not going to happen because, to be selfish, it’s great for us to have those two goaltenders.”

Elias has been teammates with Brodeur for 16 seasons and has been through a lot with him. They were teammates on the 2000 and 2003 Stanley Cup teams. When Brodeur became the NHL's all-time leader in wins on March 17, 2009, Elias became the Devils' all-time leader in points the same night.

“For me, to practice every day against maybe the best goaltender ever to play the game, it’s something special,” Elias said. “Playing with him and winning two Stanley Cups with him, that’s something you don’t forget and some of the moments, his saves, some of the accomplishment we did on the same night, it’s something I’m going to remember forever, but, hopefully, that’s not over for us.”

This is Michael Ryder’s first season with the Devils, but he’s become one of Brodeur’s good friends on the team during that brief time and also doesn’t want to see him be traded.

“He’s been here 20 years and that’s a long time and he’s a legend in the game and here in New Jersey,” Ryder said. “Who knows what’s going to happen? I’d love to have Marty here. He’s a great teammate and he’s a buddy of mine. We’ll see what happens, I guess.”

DeBoer admitted he’ll be relieved when the deadline passes.

“I think everybody will,” he said. “I know it’s exciting for the fans. It’s unsettling for the players. I’m looking forward to having our group of 22 or 23 players and moving forward down the stretch here.”

About

TOM GULITTI has covered the New Jersey Devils for The Record since 2002. Prior to that, he covered the New York Rangers for four years. Gulitti joined The Record in 1998 after six years at The North Jersey Herald News. He graduated from Binghamton University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric-Literature.